Monte Cristo @ Peppermill Grill

If you’re like me, you like the savory with the sweet (especially in breakfast food). Let me tell you about my new favorite breakfast that delicately balances both flavors- the Monte Cristo.

I was introduced to this perfection at the humble Peppermill Grill in Standale, Michigan. Talk about a place that simultaneously gives you the comforts of a hole-in-the-wall tacky diner and the warmth of a familiar home cooked meal.

You may not know the origins or what even a Monte Cristo is…don’t worry, I did the work for you.

Straight from Wikipedia herself…

“A Monte Cristo is a fried ham and cheesesandwich, a variation of the French croque-monsieur. In the 1930s–1960s, American cookbooks had recipes for this sandwich, under such names as French Sandwich, Toasted Ham Sandwich, and French Toasted Cheese Sandwich.[1]Emmental or Gruyère cheese is typically used.”

Sounds pretty amazing right? Here’s the breakdown of the one I ordered at Peppermill:

Bread, french toasted and sprinkled with powered sugar

Baby Swiss cheese

Layers upon layers of thin sliced ham

and the most important piece to this dish…dark red raspberry jam for dipping.

You read right. A perfect combination of robust, savory meat and cheese flavors complimented with an ultasweet, fruity sauce. Soft and mildy sweet bread, thick ham and gooey cheese. A little of the dark raspberry sauce goes a long way. The one downside to this plate of comfort is the mess that occurs almost instantly, as the bread absorbs the sauce and the juicy ham. Just don’t wear your favorite crisp white t-shirt and you should make it out of this one alive.

Just a short post today, but I have a few plans for future drinks and dunks soon. Keep your eyes out for those, and if you have a favorite recipe or restaurant that serves a Monte Cristo, please share it!